This program had objectives of involvement of a cross section of the community in the Northern Bellarine.

The townships / areas prioritised were Portarlington, Indented Head and St Leonards, and this provided a good cross section of towns and communities. Specifically Campers in the Bellarine Bayside Caravan Parks were identified as a target audience to engage in the activities. The program set out to involve the campers in a various activities to have them engage in the local environment, and to learn more about the positive and negative impacts on the local natural assets.

Total caravan park and camper involvement is estimated at 80 children and adults

Left: Coastcare Challenge Game

1.2 Sub Category: Residents of Towns and Holiday Makers:

In order to involve the towns residents and holiday makers that reside in holiday rentals and towns accommodation a different approach was taken

Fliers were placed at strategic locations in Portarlington, Ste Leonards and Indented Head. Added to this promotion through adverts in local papers and the Summer by the Sea On line promotions and booking system

In terms of results and interpretation of how many people participated in tis category, it is hard to establish. However it is anticipated that the figure was approximately a third of the total numbers. This put the figure at 50

Total number of participants across all areas total 150.

Left: Activity resources

Project Component:

Community Education and Awareness Raising

Sub Category: RockPool Ramble and Beach Comb

The Rockpool Ramble and Beach comb was a combined activity located at Indented Head. This was conducted on a perfect weather day on low tide

There were some pre-registrations, however most interest arose through the set up and pre beach walk and meeting beach users

Learning of this activity

20 people registered with a number of others trailing along and watching / learning form the side.

It was a highly successful activity with 18 marine and foreshore species identified, and key learnings including, catchment care, litter, nutrients and sediments

2.2 Sub Category: Coastcare Challenge Course

The Coastcare Challenge Course is set up to involve youth between ages 7 to 15

Native vegetation including Moonah, Coast Banksia and other indigenous Species

Protected and threatened species including Australian Fur Seal, Australian Gannett, Orange-bellied Parrot and other species

Dog impacts and dog poo impacts, waste, nutrients algal blooms

Two sets of teams undertake the Coastcare Challenge Course to ‘Learn through doing’ in a fun, interactive way.

Messages and learnings are re-inforced at the end through getting the kids to report back on what they learnt i.e how long take it take plastic to break down, what issues can that cause to marine life.

Right: Coastcare game

2.3 Sub Category: Surf Club Program Activities

Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club (OGSLSC) Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club (PLSLSC)

This activity was a collaboration with the OGSLSC, Ocean Grove Coastcare Groups, PLSLSC and BCN.

The OGSLSC activity was conducted with Under 10’s which had 3 rotating groups. Total number were 70 Nippers

The PLSLSC also included Under 10 Nippers. This activity had approximately 80 Nippers with 3 groups

Included with this were numerous parents and Surf Club members who watched and participated in the activity.